Category: Podcast

A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it annoys enough people to make it worth it.

MARYLAND, USA Civil rights activist, firearms instructor and podcaster known as the Black Man With A Gun ™ retires with over six hundred available episodes. Rev. Kenn Blanchard, also a Christian pastor has decided to pass the torch of gun rights advocacy to the next generation of social media influencers that have grown exponentially on the internet over the past five years.

The Black Man With A Gun persona emerged in 1999 with the release of the website of the same name announcing the self-published book of the same name in 2000. It was an ominous time to be pro-gun. There was a tragedy at a school named Columbine. Some were worried about the Apocalypse and Y2K.

Oprah Winfrey had a TV show and a Book Club that was making stars out of hacks at the time. Blanchard was elated when someone from her team requested a copy of his book for review.

“All I wanted to be is a resource for saving lives in the community. I could be the go-to guy to stop accidents in the homes, protect single mothers; and help boys become men.”

That didn’t happen.

Blanchard did begin speaking around the country to promote his book which with the website made him look authoritative. Websites were not common in 2001 unless you have a lot of resources. This website was created by a woman with a PhD that was a friend of a friend.

It was bigger than the NRA’s at the time. The Libertarian Party of Maryland liked Blanchard so much that they wanted him for a gubernatorial candidate.

Several websites around the country put his face and info on their websites. Some claimed him as a conservative, some a progressive liberal and even some a Black Nationalist.

African American themed book stores were the thing and they didn’t want to sell my book.

They said it didn’t promote the kind of values they wanted to reflect in their store. I thought it was odd though that a book about responsible gun ownership would be rebuffed while the books with the best placement in the store were about pimps, prostitutes and street hustlers. A book called “Monster,” the autobiography of a gang member had the most prominent spot in the window at the time.

I’ve been there and done that.
I got the NRA’s Eddie Eagle to do the one and only sold out appearance at an African American event in Washington, DC of 10,000 people. I received a Civil Rights Award from the NRA that got me a standing ovation at an Annual meeting in Phoenix, AZ.

Before the web presence, I was just as busy. I created a national gun club for African Americans called the Tenth Cavalry Gun in 1992. There are even more details on my bio page at http://kennblanchard.com/about

Tenth Cavalry at the new NRA range in 1992

May I continue?

I started the Urban Shooter Podcast after being interviewed by Mark Vanderberg on his podcast back in 2007 called Gun Rights Radio. Mark sparked my love of Old Time radio and the desire to be on terrestrial radio since a teen.

I tried everything on that podcast. We had a weekly audio drama called Zombie Strike! That some loved and some hated. We had a couple of burgeoning comedians. I have interviewed over 200 influential guests. And some not so. I stumbled, mumbled and sang to my heart’s content. I told stories and shared African American history with an audience I didn’t know would care. And I loved them for it. I told them my life, and they shared my time and experiences as the “pastor of patriots, pistoleros, and Paladins.”

The desire to retire from the gun rights movement grew after the 2019 Gun Rights Policy Conference in Arizona. I got a chance to see the heirs of my struggle. There are a handful of activist that are doing it right. They don’t have to chase advertisers or sponsors like I did. They have thousands of followers off the break.

And then there was the successful 2 A Rally in Washington DC. 2000 of my closest friends put on a major event without the usual foolishness. In spite of the naysayers it happened. This event again gave me the “warm and fuzzy” that I could depart this space and go on to other things.

I was tired of trying to convince others that I was still valuable. I was tired of watching people with no credibility or integrity –flourish. I was tired of re-introducing myself. I was tired of defending what I was doing to my wife, churches and a long list of connections.

I wanted to go out before I said something that got me into trouble. They old guys in the balcony on the Muppet Show were about to get a third.

Right after I announced my “retirement” my computer gave up the ghost. It was apropos.

I am not finished though.
My voice and passion for others is stronger. I plan to continue to podcast and write.

I love the brother or sister that also cares about this nation, their communities and family enough to be a citizen.

For thirty years I have fought for the rights of gun owners of all colors, and categories. I am a part of the family that cares for and encourages the growth or development of someone or something.

One of my biggest regrets is not knowing how to use the ever changing search engine optimization. What I plan to do is to become a better storyteller that can share wisdom, good times and inspiration. I’m taking the name from an Old World French and African class of traveling poets, musicians, and storytellers that maintained a tradition of oral history called griots.

This new podcast will speak to and about elements of American history, culture, that help us do better. There will definitely be some gun stuff there.

The Second Amendment is so important to our nation, it’s in the Bill of Rights.
The American Grio is coming. I am hoping you’ll come along for the ride.

I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left. Last night, I put together a video and a podcast episode sharing my desire to exit from the Second Amendment advocacy space. I called it my Farewell Message. The concept of leaving on a high note had been on my mind and I had been talking about it for weeks. Last week my 12 year old iMac hard drive died. Then it fell off my table (no damage). I took it as a sign.
Being the Black Man With A Gun indefinitely was not my plan. All I wanted was financial success. My level of success was independence and self-employment. It never came. Most of it was because I refused to do anything that seemed criminal or unethical. I am not politically motivated. I am not ambiguous. I like people that some don’t and don’t like people that many like.

The good news is that I am still going to be around. The bad news is that you won’t see or hear me talk about firearms or gun legislation after December 2019. I am tired and want to change my evergreen focus to a seasonal one. In this season of my life, I am looking forward to passing on information, encouragement and enjoying myself more than fighting, defending and debating crazy people. I’ve been doing it since 1987.

I have a website called kennblanchard.com that I plan to update and contribute to with all my shenanigans. I hope you decide to follow it. Currently I produce WarriorCast.com ‘s podcast, Speaklifepodcast.com and the Kenn Blanchard Show podcast. Warriorcast belongs to my son and covers his world of martial arts, boxing and pop culture. Speak Life is the weekly show from the Gospel ministry I serve, and the Kenn Blanchard Show is my cornucopia of thoughts.
With my podcasting computer down, I created this video.

Here are my thoughts, spoken from it.

This is my farewell message to friends, family and coworkers in the 2A movement. In my twenty plus year of being in this space, I have never seen anyone actually retire. They usually die, get a mention in the NRA Rifleman, and Ammoland and that’s it. Or they screw up in a media interview and get crucified by trolls and the community members that like that sort of thing. I’m trying to go out on my own terms.
The world has changed since I started. A lot. Some good stuff has happened. And some bad. I used to call myself the Bill Cosby of the Gun Rights Movement. That isn’t a good analogy now. And there were a couple of other guys that I grew up looking up to that have since gone down in flames.
Like my wife repeatedly say, don’t compare yourself to anyone, just be you.
I started with nothing. I still have most of that left.
I started in 1986 wanted to be a firearms instructor for my community. I wanted to become a high paid speaker or radio personality. I wanted to leverage my creativity and entrepreneurism to become a successful business person. I became the Black Man with a Gun (BMWAG)
The local DC Maryland and Virginia community wasn’t ready for an under 30 year old African American firearms trainer. The government allowed me to moonlight and do this side activity but with a strict warning not to disclose my bona fides. I was watched. I was monitored. I had to ask permission before I traveled. When I appeared before the public they thought, how could I know anything? How dare I talk about guns when there was the so called black on black crime, police shootings, and drug wars going on. I got beat up a lot at ranges, gun shops and churches where I tried to advertise. But I became involved in the gun community/ gun rights when I failed to make money as a trainer/instructor in 1987. Gun rights activism doesn’t make money if you are honest.
Since then I have been involved in the gun debate, as it intersects firearms instruction and civil rights. I created the Tenth Cavalry Gun Club in 1991 that grew from Washington, DC, Baltimore, NJ and Illinois. The Law Enforcement Alliance of America, introduced me the show business of politics and I worked with to the NRA, GOA and SAF. The website Black Man with a Gun debuted in 1999. I’ve been involved in US Supreme Court cases we have won for the 2nd Amendment even if my name isn’t on it.
I learned more about myself than anything doing this stuff I had a training business, where I provided instruction and certifications in first aid, armed security and tactics. I failed in business but I pressed onward.
I started before social media and looking back I could have been a boss with that thing but I didn’t.
I reached out to all the so called black leaders and announced my intentions in the gun world. It was risky because historically, this same leaders are anti-gun. But I went there. I tried to buy a shooting range. I got blasted by Rev Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson, and local pastors.
I created a podcast in 2007 and I was embraced by the people black people said I should beware of. The demographic that loved the BMWAG were the same folks that are accused of racism, cronyism, and supremacy. White males were calling me brother. They were listening to my shows. They were inviting me and my family to events across the country. I shot historical firearms in Tennessee. I ate at the homes of millionaires, in country clubs, and places in Washington DC I didn’t know black people were allowed in. I learned that our country likes being divisive. I learned that racism exist mostly because people need it as an excuse. I learned that organizations really don’t want change. I learned that people like mess, and drama. I learned that I was a conservative.
I loved meeting people like you. I loved shooting exotic and new firearms. I loved championing the cause of freedom. I loved being the Black Man with a Gun. I loved mixing faith and firearms. I loved being the pastor of patriots, pistoleros and paladins. I loved writing but podcasting was my jam. I loved and hoped that one day I would make enough money to quit my day job. That didn’t happen by the way. I learned that my faith has sustained me. I learned that my unique position has saved lives.
But it has had its bad side too. I’ve spent too much money learning, and chasing influencers. I filed bankruptcy along this journey. I’m ok now but I learned a lot by my mistakes. My wisdom came at a price. I almost lost my wife on this journey. I almost got kicked out of two churches from being pro-gun. I lost positions, promotions and opportunities at my old government job because of my pro-gun activities. It came at a cost.

Memories
1. Civil rights award from the NRA for bringing the Eddie Eagle program to Washington DC in a big way.
2. St Gabriel Possenti award from the Gun Dean, John Synder at the Second Amendment Foundation
3. Creating the tenth cavalry gun Club and getting the club to shoot at the NRA range when it was brand new
4. Meeting Charlton Heston and getting Christmas cards from him for a few years
5. Being the chaplain of the LEAA
6. Being a part of the concealed carry reforms across the US
7. Testifying in VA, TX, MI, WI and SC legislative houses
8. Interviewing the Gunny, Lee Ermey, Wayne LaPierre, befriending a rabbi like Dovid and connecting with my Jewish brethren
9. Speaking in front of 20K in Albany NY
10. Meeting Donald Trump and getting a selfie in NY
11. Publishing two three books related to the my journey and the 2nd amendment
12. Creating a website in 1999 and trademarking the name bmwag
13. Being mentioned in a movie, pros and Cons.
14. Getting a chance to audition for a pilot show on Spike TV
15. Podcasting for 12 years, 630+ episodes, sharing American history, and introducing new generations to things they may have missed.
16. Working with over 12 industry companies and getting sponsored by Crossbreed holsters and USCCA
17. Interviewing over 100 historical people for the podcast

Why am I leaving?
When I got started in 2000 as the BMWAG, it was tongue in cheek. It was my version of a shock jock. I did it with all the intentions of being replaced by many untraditional firearms instructors, activist and clubs. We have that. I personally know of Spanish speakers, LGBT, African Americans, disabled vets and boat loads of women involved now. I’ve been the go to guy media for law enforcement issues in the black community, religion and guns and veterans issues as it relates to guns. Most of the time, after a tragedy. Not good times. There have been almost a steady flow of tragedy to respond to. If you know the media game, if you sound reasonable, truthful and not bombastic your contribution will not be used. I think I might get the reward for the most media nobody but the editor as seen. I’m tired of that.
It took me awhile to learn the game of hyperbole. On a good day, I can crank it out like the best of them. But it’s not my style. Over the years I have learned that I am not the loudest, nor the most controversial voice out there. I started focusing on taking care of the second amendment first responders instead. And I still will. I care about you, your family and where you are going.
I learned you need a team to succeed. You can be one dude on a mission as I have been. You have to learn how to delegate. You have to inspire folks to work for you for nothing until you can pay them. I didn’t manage that.
Since 2007, I have been producing digital content. The Lord has allowed me to create, practice narration, speak and presenting online. I was intimately involved in the gun debate, US Constitutional issues and social causes. And with that I am well known among the gray beards. This fight is evergreen.
I believe that this season of my life is ending and that I am to move on to the next. I want to entertain. Teach and continue doing the needful on the sidelines. My best work and most of my accomplishments are not online. I have changed minds. I have saved families. I have helped veterans. I have been a brother to those in need. I have helped mothers, grandmothers and children.
So how do you retire on your own terms? I figured my first step was in letting my friends know of my intentions so it doesn’t catch them off guard. Decrease my expenses. Live modestly. Love unconditionally. Continue to help my fellowman. I am still pro-gun, pro-rights and pro-life – my life. If you want to find me, I will still be online, shooting recreationally, still be singing, playing the blues, riding my motorcycle, preaching the gospel, smiling and praising my God.
I thank those that reached out when they saw my IG or Facebook post, and checked on a brother. It wasn’t a lot of you but I noticed who you were. It means I picked the right ones to call friend.
Special thanks and much appreciation to the Crossbreed Holsters Company and family. We connected early and even after the passing of Mark, we stayed connected. Carol has been a blessing.
Tim Schmidt of USCCA has been instrumental in my success too. He was a sponsor of my podcast and 2A work long before anyone knew what social media was. He has moved on and grown his brand exponentially
Barbara Baird of Women’s Outdoor News has been like a confidant and big sister. It is only because of her that I even got invited to blogger events and SHOT show parties. If you saw or met me somewhere exclusive in the gun community it was because of a connection with her.
Shout outs to American Built Arms who sponsored my internet TV show for three months. Blanchard Outdoors.
Shout out to my Sho Nuff supporters of my Patreon account that kept me solvent. I made a pact with the wife not to spend any family money fighting for the RKBA and I’ve doing that successfully for a decade because of you. Thank you.

Like Sheriff Bart said before me,

“Work here is done. I’m needed elsewhere now. I’m needed wherever outlaws rule the West, wherever innocent women and children are afraid to walk the streets, wherever a man cannot live in simple dignity, wherever a people cry out for justice.”

Getting to know Pro-shooter and competitor Todd Jarrett, part 1 of 4

After thirty years in the gun community I have met some amazing people.So many that I forgot how many special people I have in my circle.This week I remembered I met such a guy a decade ago that is a competitive shooter, trainer and a really nice guy.His name is Todd Jarrett.

I first met Todd at a bloggers event put on by Blackhawk.I learned quickly that Todd was the kind of guy you would have over for a cookout, an adult beverage and call him fam.This week I want to share stuff about him that you won’t hear on a YouTube video.He didn’t get to where he is now without putting in the work.On the show you are going to hear his origin story.And on the next few shows afterwards I have small bits of the same interview where he goes in detail about the industry, competing and guns.

Todd has shot over 6 million rounds in career. He says,

I teach shooting, weapons manipulation and speed, but not tactics.

We often forget that you don’t become a champion without struggle. You don’t win without learning the sport, the game or the rules. In a candid conversation, Todd, shares how over time he became a world class competitor.

Todd’s ethic reminded me that to master anything it will take time. You have to be consistent, persistent and dedicated to get good. Talent will give you a good start but that isn’t all of it. You also have to get some breaks.

Todd got the opportunity to be a part of some great companies and learn about the gun industry. He has worked with Para Ordnance, Safariland, BlackHawk, Hornady ,Federal, Hoppes, and STI.

Here’s a training tip from Todd.

I know most of my students won’t be able to shoot once a week, so I tell them to dry fire twice a week for 20 minutes and practice draws, moving, posting up, using barricades and acquiring sight pictures at different distances. I advocate getting into some form of competition because it gives them practice in weapons manipulation under stressful situations and puts them on the clock.

Jarrett has also had more than 100 Area and Sectional Championship wins.Here is an old list but look at these accomplishments.

Gun Rights Alliance

Today, I am looking forward at what I can do for the gun rights movement as a legacy. I want to be remembered for more than just being the OG aka the Black Man with A Gun™. Here’s what I plan. I am working with a app developer to create a mobile app that can be a platform directory for organizations like the GOA, USCCA, SAF, NAAGA, 2AO, and others to connect with us.

It will also have a directory and links to pages from content creators that are really the media for our side. The bloggers, podcasters, and YouTubers will have their own apps within this app. I am trying to get cutting age tech to protect us from the Bergs that don’t like us. (Bloom and Zucker.)

It’s been a great life so far. Being involved in the gun rights movement has improved me. It has taught me to be a better citizen. It has made me appreciate freedom, history and the sacrifices of others.
Communication is the magic sauce. Going to try it despite our mistrust of each other. Going to make it happen despite the need for goo gobs of money. The power has always been in the people. We are what makes this thing called freedom work.

I think I can do this. I’ve worked with just about everyone. I’ve watched folks come and go. Like a sentinel, I have held my post. I have encouraged and discouraged posers as best I could. I have been an activist in the gun rights community since 1991. Before that I started as a firearms trainer for my government agency. From that I launched a side business to teach tactics and defense to civilians and security officers. I was part of the start of the concealed carry movement. I traveled with the NRA and the Law Enforcement Alliance of America to testify in a handful of states to change their racist policies and laws.

Thus began my journey as the Black Man with A Gun™. I started a national gun club in 1991 to foster the growth of African Americans in the shooting sports. I published a book in 1999. I created a website in 2000. I’ve worked behind the scenes to select, qualify and protect people of color that became involved in Supreme Court cases.

I’ve worked with the NRA. I even tried to get a job there. I’m a life member. I only turned it down because the salary was too low and not close to what they were paying the incumbent. I begged to be a functioning member on the GOA staff and after –way too much back and forth – got a position as the volunteer Urban Affairs guy. I didn’t do a thing with that. I resigned. Too early I guess. I’ve been a voting member on the CCRKBA and done the perfunctory “minority speaker slot” the GRPC but never made the masthead. I’ve worked with just about all the groups out there. My hats off to all the brothers and sisters now working with “x” organization.

This is my attempt to sew all the pieces together. If you will support it, join the email list today so I can build a team to make this happen. We are the Gun Rights Alliance.

Not that long ago, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives concluded that bump-fire stocks, “slide-fire” devices were merely a gun accessory or firearm part, not subject to federal regulation. After an evil person murders 58 people and injures 851; the gun accessory is used as a scapegoat.

Law abiding gun owners are often the scapegoat. Am I the only one that dislikes being accused of things I don’t or didn’t do?

I speak about this, the origin of the Scapegoat, and who the real demon is in this story on this weeks episode of the Black Man With A Gun Show Podcast. The show is now in its 12th year and has had over 2.1 million downloads.

Here’s a comment from one of my friends.

Why every single American should be up in arms over the bump stock ban…

Forget for a moment that we’re talking about a piece of plastic that is a gimmick. Let’s look at how this ban was put in place.

No law was passed. No law was broken. The item was legal to purchase. Illegally, DOJ, with the stroke of a pen, outlawed these items. BUT HOW?

Congress was not involved. There was no law passed outlawing these items. Such a law wouldn’t be able to get through Congress. So, DOJ violated the law in quite a number of ways to do it. They declared it a machine gun and subject to prohibition.

The term “machine gun” is very precisely defined in Federal Code…

The term “machinegun” means any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term shall also include the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun, and any combination of parts from which a machinegun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person.

The key point here is “by a single function of the trigger”.

ATF prior to DOJ stepping in correctly identified the bump stock as a non firearm accessory in compliance with the definition of a machine gun according to Federal Code.

DOJ arbitrarily changed the definition, illegally, for their purposes. Only Congress has the power to make such a change. DOJ does not. The President does not.

So, we have a situation now where a lawfully purchased item is declared illegal, through illegal means. This creates quite the Constitutional Crisis.

If this is allowed to stand. There is no single area of Federal Code that cannot be modified at will by any agency and they can do it without the consent of Congress.

This ladies and gentlemen is the very definition of tyranny. This is NOT how our Republic operates.

On top of this, they are demanding the surrender or destruction of these devices without due compensation to the owners. Again, this is illegal AND Unconstitutional.

We as Americans have a choice. We comply, we bend the knee, and surrender our Freedoms… We do this, on bump stocks and the door is permanently open for future abuses by DOJ and other agencies.

Or, we resist. Do not comply. We fight it tooth and nail. We refuse to accept their narrative. We tell them NO. We back it by force of arms if necessary.

There is risk in the latter option, there is tyranny in the former. Pick one. You have no other choices. We have been far to tolerant of this out of control Government for far to long.

Our representation in Congress and the Presidency have for far to long taken our Rights and Liberties for granted. They have used our Freedoms as bargaining chips for their political gain.

If what they have done now is allowed to stand, they can ban anything they want. Guns, knives, cars, sexual preference, gay marriage, whatever, simply by deeming it so without Congress.

Congress should be up in arms over this. They have just been made completely moot. Their status in Government no longer matters. Yet, they sit quietly by and watch.

It is now up to the Citizens to do what is right.

I am publicly calling for the President to rescind this stupid edict and for DOJ to stop operating outside of it’s legal boundaries. I am calling on all Americans to fight this, whether you are pro gun, anti gun, or whatever. Allowing this to stand will do harm to all of us. There is a Constitutional process to be followed and it has NOT been followed in this instance. The ban is illegal and Unconstitutional. DO NOT COMPLY. FIGHT!

This design will be made into a high quality, PVC key chains to sell as mementos to reaching 600 episodes on the Black Man with A Gun Show podcast and being a leader in the grassroots gun community since 1991.

Click here to order yours. Only $5.50 plus .50 shipping

You can get a tee shirt and other cool stuff at Kenn’s store which also supports his work, and encourages him to fight on without relying on begging corporate sponsors.Power to the People!
Get the book, patch or keychain here:

I am American by birth. Generations of my people have survived the Middle Passage, rape, institutionalized slavery, Jim Crow, and segregation. The first gun control laws of the first 400 years were created and enforced to keep guns out of the hands of people that look like me. I support the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights, all of it. I support the Second Amendment.

This week on the podcast, Kenn interviews John Pierce, Esq. a longtime friend, gun rights activist and now attorney that is strong in support of the Second Amendment for his clients.

This Virginia based lawyer peels the legal “onion” of how to restore your gun rights if you have a felony. He answers the questions about what to do if you have a history in another state and are trying to clear your name so that you can exercise your right to self-defense. I am trying to keep you out of jail.

If you are going through a ugly divorce, involved in a domestic violence case, use a firearm at work, John also breaks down some stuff you should know about the Lautenberg Amendment.

How to defend yourself against false allegations.

Suicide awareness week is approaching and Michael and I talk about the signs that someone is considering it.